Sign



April 7, 1931. L. LE BLANC 1,800,087

SIGN

Filed May 31, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 gra za L. LE BLANC April 7, 1931.

SIGN

Filed May 51, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a a x ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 7, 1931LUCIEN LE BLANG, 015 DETROIT, MICHIGAN SIGN Application filed May 31,1929. Serial No. 367,460.

The object of this invention is to provide a sign including movablemeans adapted to receive detachable letters, so that the device may beplaced in continuous operation by the use of a motor, and the travelingelement may remain constantly in position, but the sign may be changedto suit varying conditions, by removing the letters which may have losttheir significance and replacing them with new letters and words.

A further object is to provide means for mounting a flexible belt,driving means for the belt, this belt being provided with openingsadapted to receive perforated letters which may also be of flexiblematerial, lighting means being adapted to throw light rays of any colordesired, thru glass plates, and thence on to mirrors or reflectingsurfaces, where the subject matter of the sign is exposed forobservation.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists inthe novel construction and arrangement of elements disclosed, it beingunderstood that modifications may be made within the scope of the claimswithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings forming part of this application:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, showing a housing with the signexposed therein, and showing elements of the illuminating means at thetop.

Figure 2 is a view in top plan of the structure of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in end elevation.

Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal section on line 4.4 of Figure 2.

Figure5 is a vertical transverse section on line 55 of Figurel.

Figure 6 shows the traveling element or belt, in top plan, with severalperforated letters in position for use.

Figure 7 is a section on line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of i the letters, which may be ofsheet metal, or other substance, such as rubber, facilitating theflexibility of the traveling device as a whole, i

The housing includes the bottom 10, the front wall 11 and the ends 12and 13. The upper portion ofthe casing or housing in cludes the frameelements l gand the latter are grooved as shown in Figure 5, the groovesreceiving the outer edges of glass plates 15, which may be of any colordesired for a particular sign. The plates may likewise be removable forchanging the color. The central plate supporting element is designated16 (so and carried thereon are brackets such as 17 adapted to mountelectric illuminating means 18.

A vertical central wall 20 provides means for mounting the upper edgesof mirrors or 05 reflecting devices 21, 22, the lower edges be ingsupported at 23, and means for adjustment of the angle of inclinationbeing provided if desired. i

The traveling element comprises a belt of suitable flexible materialdesignated 25 and this belt is provided with openings 26 which may be ofrectangular form, and is further provided with slots at 27, in the edgeportions of the belt or traveling device.

. This arrangement permits of the insertion of the perforated plates orthe like 28, oneof which is'shown in perspective in Figure 8, the letterI being represented and whereas any suitable material maybe used, aplate of so sheet rubber of suitable character will promote theflexibility of the entire belt.

The belt 25 is carried around suitable guide rollers such as those shownat 26, the pre ferred arrangement for a simple device being illustratedin Figure 4, andthe roller mounted in the lower central portion ofFigure 4 is supported by axle or shaft 28, and a wheel or pulley-rigidwith reference to the shaft or with reference to the roller, thisrotatable 9o element being designated 29-is driven by belt, chain, orother flexible device 30 adapted to be operated by any suitable motor,an electric motor being usually employed. The driving means are shownconventionally at 5 31 in Figure l.

Itwill be observed that the illuminating means of Figure 5, throw theirrays thru the colored plates 15 and the light passes thru the perforatedletter plates, and the letters 10 are defined on the reflecting devices21 and 22 and they are readily observed and read by individuals desiringinformation regarding a particular play, or regarding merchandise of anycharacter displayed in a store or store window. Since signs may be readfrom various angles depending upon whether a relatively large sign isemployed by an amusement house, or a smaller-sign is employed by amerchant, it is desirable to have the reflecting devices 21 and 22mounted for adjustment, and this adjustment may be pros vided inany'desired manner obvious to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is r In a device ofthe class described',-a-housing,reflecting'de'vice therein, illuminating means mounted above thereflecting de vices, a traveling element'mounted to haveone run thereofpass betweenthereflecti ng devices and the illuminating element, thetraveling element having openings therein" and being slotted adjacent-tothe openings and in a direction parallel with the surface of saidelement, and removable perforated letter plates for insertion throughthe'slotsand in display position opposite the openings.

2. Ina device of the class described,-a housing, a traveling elementmountedtherein,

saidelement being provided with openings and being 01": flexiblematerial, letter platesof flexible material and having rubber likesunface engaging qualities, said plates being adapted: for insertion withinthe body of the traveling element opposite the openings, il luminatingmeans mounted above the travel"- ing'element and reflecting meansmounted below said traveling element. 7

8. In a device of theIclassdescri-bed, atraw eling element,having'openin-gs therein extending from one surfaceto the othersurfiace, and openings communicating with those first named andextending therefrom to one outeredge of the" traveling element, and

- means'fo-r imparting motion to the traveling element, flexibleperforated letter plates: for" insertion into the openings first named,and

illuminating means positioned to throw rays thru the perforated letterplates. V

' Intestimony whereofl afiix my signature LUGIEN BLANC.

